On December 9, 2011 at approximately 9:52 p.m., MCRS was toned for a single car MVA into the river.  The Squad put into response Squad 388 and Rescue 384.  The river ended up being the Robinson River in a rather remote, back roads area of Madison County.  Enroute, we were informed by dispatch that the occupant had gotten out of the car on there own and was no longer in the water.  Air bags did deploy and the patient was wet from the river and very cold.  Night time temps were in the low 30's this evening.  MCRS transported one patient complaining of chest pain and hypothermia.  Squad 388 stayed on-scene another 90 minutes to provide support (lighting up the area) for the recovery crew, so they could pull the car up and out of the river.
Home
About Us
Our Fleet
Upcoming Events
Photo Gallery
Contact Us

Upon arrival, just police cars were on sceneSquad 388 providing lighting support. The car is on the right side of picture in the river, down about 30 feet.Rescue 384 on scene with the patient insideSquad 388 lighting up the areaPower control panel of 388 light up and operatingHeadlights of the car, under the water. The river is running towards the headlights. This is is a Jeep and the hood is under water, both airbags deployed, the window is open on the passenger side and the water is covering the hood and up to the windowsHeadlights of the car, under the water. The river is running towards the headlights. This is is a Jeep and the hood is under water, both airbags deployed, the window is open on the passenger side and the water is covering the hood and up to the windowsHeadlights of the car, under the water. The river is running towards the headlights. This is is a Jeep and the hood is under water, both airbags deployed, the window is open on the passenger side and the water is covering the hood and up to the windowsSee the two nicks on the rock, the car made these before going into the river.Close up of the nicks the car made before heading into the riverFoot steps, very wet ones, from the patient as they came out of the river walking towards the deputies carsFoot steps, very wet ones, from the patient as they came out of the river walking towards the deputies carsCar in the Robinson RiverHeavy Rescue Squad 388 on sceneTow and recovery trucks have arrived to try and get the Jeep out of the Robinson RiverBig question of the night was how to bring the car up out of the river? Remember it is surrounded on all four sides by the river, the river is running swiftly from all the rain a few days prior(over 3 inches). First thing was to get a chain saw and begin cutting a few snags awayNext bring in a ladder to stretch from solid ground(the bank) over the river/water...using the orange rope, it was tied off to a person who was going over the water...just in case...Then then ladder was placed on the rear right passenger side tire and a crude bridge was made to be able to get the wreckers chain and tow line attached to a point on the car. You can just make out someone in a stripped shirt over the water starting to attached the wrecker chains to the vehicleThe operation continues...Stand alone lights from Squad 388 lighting up the river bank. You can see the rear tailights of the car down on the left corner of the pictureShot of the jeep in the river. Yep that window is open... and you can make out the airbag deployment on the drivers side... yep, that window was open also...you can see the slight leaning of the vehicle in the river towards the drivers side...with an open window...Let the recovery and bringing up the jeep from the river begin...This is the start of the pullOperation and recovery from the roadOperation and recovery from the road...all eyes and lights looking down the bankWhats is going on down on the river bank everyone is looking at from previous pictureInitial pull of the wrecker has moved the jeep closer to shore and at a slight turn toward the bank"Life is Good"...The rear of the jeep is now on the bank, solid ground after being in the river for the last 90 minutes"Life is Good"...The rear of the jeep is now on the bank, solid ground after being in the river for the last 90 minutes
These are two short videos from the scene as the jeep comes up the bank and out of the river
"Life is Good"...The rear of the jeep is now on the bank. You can see the wrecker lines and chains used to bring the jeep up the hill after being in the river for the last 90 minutesAlmost lost it, look at how it tipped to the left all of a sudden...Whoa...Thar she blows! Finally to the top, the jeep has breached the road againFinally to the topThat tire is not from the bottem of the river. It was/is the drivers front tire. Sheared right off and barely attached to the axelA view of the jeep...A view of the jeep...somethings missing...A view of the jeep...Yep...remember the windows were open...the entire wheel wells on both sides is full of river waterJust full of water, look at it dripping ontot he seat from the air bagsTire just hanging by the axelTire and from where it came from...Working the positioning to try and get it on a rollbackUp she goes...You can see what was holding the tire to the JeepThe rest of the drive shaftLoaded upLoaded on the roll backLook at the water dripping/streaming down the rollbackWater dripping/streaming down the rollback onto the roadJust about ready to depart on the rollback Just about ready to depart on the rollback...some final looksJust about ready to depart on the rollback...some final looksJust about ready to depart on the rollback...some final looks
Bringing the Jeep up from the river